Sectional wagon-bed.



w.' HfBHYANT. sfcnoNAL wAeoN BED, APPLICATION FILED 001726, 1915-Patented Feb. 5, 1918.

vv. H. BRYANT. SECTIONAL WAGON'BED. s APPLICATION FILED OCT. 33 Il9l5.www s 1.12 Famed. Feb. 5.19m.

. fr l W. H. BRYANT. sEcfoNAL WAGON BD. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 26. 1915.

' Paztenwd Feb. 5,19I8.

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WILLIAM H. BRYANT, OF OAKLAND CITY, INDIANA.

SECTIONAL WAGON-BED.

Application filed October 2G, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. BRYANT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Q10 W. Cherry St., Uakland City, in the county of Gibson andState of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSectional VVagon-Beds, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to sectional wagon beds, and has for itsprincipal object the production of a simple and eiiicient means foradjnstably retaining the sides in their correct positions upon the baseof the bed when it is desired to have the bed retained in a setupposition.

Another object of this invention is the production of a sectional wagonbed wherein the side portions thereof may be quickly and easily detachedfrom the base of the bed when it is desired to provide a flat bed forany purpose whatever.

Another object of this invention is the production of a simple andeiiicient brace means engaging the sides of the sectional wagon bed sothat when considerable weight is carried within the bed the strain willbe relieved from the connecting portions retaining the sides upon thebase, and will be taken up by the brace members.

W ith these and other objects in view this invention consists of certainnovel combinations, constructions, and larrangements of parts as will behereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a detailed perspective view of the sectional wagon bed asconstructed. in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the sectional wagon bed. v

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking in thedirections of the arrows.

Fig. l is an' elevation, of the rear end of the wagon bed.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the base of .the wagon bed, the sides andfrontend being removed.

Fi g. 6 is a section taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the forward.end of the Wagon bed illustrating the manner in which Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented Feb. 5, figlie.

Serial No. 58,014.

the sectional forward end is carried upon a certain strip. i

F ig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken upon the line8--8 of Fig. 4C.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the forward endof the device, illustrating the manner in which the sectional forwardend is held in a set position.

Fig. 'l0 is a detailed perspective view of one of the retaining bracketsused upon the sides of the wagon bed.

Fig. ll is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through a portion ofthe device, illustrating the manner in which the brace members arecarried by the retaining clips.

Fig. l2 is a view similar to Fig. l1 illustrating, however, a slightlymodified forni ofA a retaining clip.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals it will be seen thatthe wagon bed comprises a fiat base l having the bars :2 extending inparallel spaced relation adjacent its central portion and transverselythere-across. The bars 3 extend transversely across the lower surface ofthe base l siniilarly to the bars 2, one of these bars 3 extendingadjacent each end of the base l, as clearly shown in Figs. l and 2. Anelongated plate -t is positioned upon the upper surfaces of the bars Zand 3 and fits beneath the ba se l extending entirely across the base,as clearly shown in Fig. 3. lll`he bolts 5 are passed through the basel, and also through the plates 4- and bars 2 and 3, so as to carry thenuts 6 upon their lower ends. ln this manner it will be seen that thebars and plates will be iixedly and iirmly retained in their correctpositions upon the lower portions of the base 1. The ends of the platesextend for a short distance beyond the side edges of the base l andterminate in the rolled sleeves 7, for purposes to be hereini after setforth.

As will be seen by referring particularly to Fig. 3 the ends of the bars2 and 3 extend for a considerable distance beyond the side edges ofthebase 1, and the outer ends of the bars 2 have the notches 8 formedtherein, as shown in Fig. 11. A running board 9 is carried upon eachside of the base 1 of the wagon body so as to allow the running board torest within the notches 8 of the bars z2.' A clip 10 is positioned uponthe outer ends of the bars 2 so as to rest upon the upper' surface ofthe running board 9. A headed rivet 11 is then passed through the clip10, the running board 9, and bar 2, so as to be permanently retained inposition for fixedly connecting these elements together. The Vouter endof each clip 10 is bent upwardly to provide an upwardly extending lip 12for purposes to be hereinafter set forth. 1t will be seen that by theuse of the running board 9 a person can stand upon the side portionsbars 2 and 3, so that the clips 10 are carried out of alinement with theplates 4.

"Fach side 13 may be of any desired height and is elongated so as to besubstantially the same length as the base 1. A plurality of retainingbrackets 14 are carried upon the outer side surfaces of each side 13 andeach retaining bracket comprises an elongated body having a plurality ofapertures 15` formed therein, as shownl in Fig. 10. The lower end ofeach bracket 1s rolled, as shown at 16, so as to lixedly carry a pm 17,while f the rolled portion 16' will form an abutment as shown at 18. Theretaining brackets 14 are positioned upon the outer side surface of thesides 13, and are retained in position nby ymeans of the rivets 19 whichpass through the openings 15 and also the sides 13. The brackets 14 arecarried upon the sides 13 and will be positioned above the projectingends of the bars 2 and 3 when the sides arepositioned upon the base 1 ofthe wagon bed, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. It should be noted that thelower ends of the retaining brackets 14 extend for a considerabledistance below the lower edges of the sides 13, so that the sleeves 1Gand 7 will be carried at a considerable distance below the lowerportions of the sides. Therefore, the sides 13 may be positioned uponthe base 1 so as to rest upon the base adjacent .its side edges, asclearly shown in Fig. 3, at which time the lower ends of the brackets 14will abut against the side edges of the base1 for limiting the inwardmovement of the sides 13 Vupon the base. At this time the sides 13 willbe placed upon the base so as to extend slightlyover the rear endthereof, for moving toward the forward end of the base 1. This actionwill cause the pins A17-to f pass into. the sleeves 7 formed upon theplates 4, and in this manner it will be seen that the lsides will beretained at their lower portions in engagement with the base l.

The forward movement of the sides will be limited, however, by thesleeves 16 coming into engagement with and abutting against the sleeves7, as shown clearly in Fig. 1.

In order to retain the sides 13 from swinging outwardly or pivoting uponthe pins 17 there are provided a plurality of brace members whichcomprise body portions 20 and each body 20 is bent inwardly at 21 so asto terminate in the substantially vertically extending end 22 fittingupon the upper portions of one of the brackets 14. One of the rivets 19used in securing the brackets 14 to the sides 13 also passes throughthis upper end 22 as well as a second rivet 19. In this manner it willbe seen that the brace members 2O will be lixedly retained in theircorrect positions and in alinement with the retaining brackets 14. Anoutwardly extending horizontal foot 23 is formed upon the lower end ofeach body 20 of each brace, so that when the sides are carried upon thebase 1 and the pins 17 are carried within the sleeves 7, the feet 23 ofthe braces will rest upon the clips 10 so as to allow the outer ends ofthese feet 23 to abut against the lips 12. It will be seen that by theuse of these lips the feet 23 will be held from slipping or springingoutwardly from engagement with the clips 10, and, therefore, as thesebrace members extend upwardly to engage the upper ends of the brackets14 for supporting the sides 13 at their upper portions it will be seenthat these side portions will be positively held from swinging outwardlyafter being positioned upon the base. lVhen, however, it is desired toremove the sides it will be seen that. by pushing upon the forward endsof these sides 13 the pins 17 will be withdrawn from the sleeves 7,while the feet 23 will be moved from engagement with the clips 10, andtherefore, the sides may be removed.

After the sides have been positioned upon the base 1, as hereinbeforeset forth, it is necessary to retain the same against accidental slidingmovement. Accordingly the parallel vertical cleats 24 are positioned inparallel spaced relations upon the forward end and within the innerportions of the sides 13. At this time the front end 25, which isslidably mounted upon the forward ends of the sides 13, is passeddownwardly between the parallel spaced cleats 24, as shown clearly inFig. 1. The brace ribs 2G which are secured upon the forward outersurface of the front or forward ends 25 carry the -rod 27 having thedepending ends 28 formed thereon. The eyes 29 are passed through aplurality of the cleats 24 and also through the sides 13 so as to carrythe nuts 30 for retaining the same in their correct positions. Thedepending ends 28 are passed through the eyes 29 when the detachable end25 is positioned between the cleats 24, and

provided. Adjacent the opposite end of the side portions of the sides,however, it is impossible to use a rod similar to the rod 27, andtherefore, it is necessary at this point to use the brace members. 1norder to prevent any tendency to rearward movement on the part of theforward end 25 upon the base 1, there is provided a metallic strip 31which extends transversely across the upper forward portion of the base1, as clearly yshown in Fig. 5, and is retained 1n position by means ofthe screws 32. This strip 31 is provided with a vertical iiange 33formed upon its rear edge, and it is upon this strip 31 that the lowerportion of the detachable t'orward end 25 rests. The flange 33 willengage the inner surface of the forward detachable end 25 and therefore,it will be seen that the end 25 will be held against rearward movement.Accordingly it will be seen that the sides 13 will be positively heldagainst rearward movement, while the forward movement of the sides isprevented as hereiiibefore set forth by means of the sleeves 16 and 7.

In order to close the rear end of the wagon body there is provided adetachable, although hingedly secured, end gate 34. This end gate 34 isprovided with the straps 35 which extend vertically thereon and areretained in position by means of the screws 36 which pass therethrough,and into the end gate 34. The lower ends of the straps 35 are providedwith the hook portions 37, which engage the U-shaped staples 38 carriedby the bar 31 extending across the rear lower portions of the base 1.The guard fingers 39 are carried by the lower portions of the bar 3 andare retained in position by means of the bolts 5 having the nuts 6 whichare used in supporting the bar rEhe end 40 of each guard finger 39extends out of alineineiit with the body portion of the guard finger soas to be carried at a distance beneath the particular staple 38. lVhenit is desired to retain the end gate 34 upon the rear end of the base 1and in engagement with the rear ends of the sides 13 it is necessary t0invert the end gate 34, allowing the same to extend downwardly. ITheopen ends of the hooks 37 may then be passed over the staples 38 so thatupon swinging the end gate 34 upwardly the hooks 37 will pass around thestaples 38, as shown in Figs. 4 and 8. It will be noted that theprojecting end 40 of the guard ingers 39 will fit so as to protect thehooks 37,

preventing their injury when in engagement with the staples 38, and atthe same time will constitute a guide for assisting in directing thehooks 37 around the staples 38. The sides 13 are provided with thevertically extending abutment cleats 41, carried at a short distancefromtheir outer end portions so that when the end gate 34 is swung to avertical plane it will pass between the sides 13 as clearly shown inFig. 1, so as to abut against the vertical abutment cleats 41. A band 42is secured upon the sides 13 by means of a rivet 43, and this bandextends around the outer portions of the particular abutment cleat 41,and is riveted in engage* ment therewith as shown at 44. Each band 42,however, projects for a considerable distance beyond the abutment cleats41 so as to pass through the vertical slots 45 formed in the end gate34. This end gate 34 is provided with an elongated plate 46 which isretained in engagement therewith by means of the screws 47 and has itsend portions provided with the outwardly bent extensions 48 in whichthere are formed the guide eyes 49, formed in alineinent with theopenings 50 formed in the projecting ends of the bands 42. A lever 51having a grip portion 52 is pivotally secured by means of the rivet 53upon the central portions of the plate 46 and through thislever 5l theretaining rods 54 are pivotally secured. The ends of these rods 54 passthrough the guide eyes 49 in each extension 48 of the plate 46 so thatwhen the rods 54 are shifted by means of the lever 5l they will bedirected through the openings 50 formed in the bands 42, and, therefore,it will be seen that the end gate will be held from accidentallyswinging to an open position. W'hen sodesired, however, it is of 'courseobvious that the lever 51 may be swung by the grip portion 52 in aclockwise direction, so as to withdraw the ends of the rods '54 fromengagement with the extending portions of the bands 42, thereby allowingthe gate 34 to be swung to an open position.

By referring to Fig. 12 it will be seen that a slightly modified form ofa clip is provided wherein the clip 10 is provided with a U-shaped outerportion 55 which is adapted to fit around the feet 23 of the braces 20,so that it will be impossible for the feet 23 to swing upwardly or bepried upwardly from engagement with the clip 10 when excessive pressureis brought to bear within the wagon bed.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very efficientmeans has been provided for detachably retaining the side portions andends of a wagon bed in their correctJ positions upon the base so as toform a rigid and substantially one-piece wagon bed when so desired. 1twill further be seen that when so desired the endsvofVV the wagon bedmay be quickly and easily revmoved, at which time the sides may alsoends of the bars and also upon the running board the sides will be'eiiiciently bracedso as to preventtheir pivoting upon the pinswhichvretain the lower portions thereotl in engagement with the base l.

What is claimed is: i Vl. In a device of the class described, thecombination of a base, sides positioned upon said base, plates carriedupon the lower sur- 'face of said base and extending` transverselythere-across, bars positioned below the lower Yportions of said base andengaging said plates, bolts passing through said base, plates, and barsfor holding the same in fixed engagement with each other, said platesterminating in rolled sleeves at their outer ends, brackets ixedlymounted upon the outer side portionsof said sides and terminating 4insleeves at theirY lower portions, pins carriedl by said last-mentionedsleeves, said pins being adapted to be passed into engagement with saidlirst-mentioned sleeves, whereby said sides will be retained at theirlower portions upon said base, and end members demountably carried bythe end portions ofV said base so as to engage said sides, said endmembers being adapted to hold said sides in a vertical plane and preventtheir rearward movement, whereby said sides will be removably retainedin their correct positions.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base, sidespositioned upon Ysaid base, means for securing said sides to` Vsaidbase, braces tixedly secured upon the outer portions of said sidemembers and extending outwardly toward their Vlower Y portions toterminate in horizontally extending elongated flat feet, lelongated fiatclips having upwardly extending lips formed attheir outer ends, meansfor supporting said clips adjacent said base, said feet resting uponsaid clips for bracing said sides,

l `face of said base and extending transversely thereacrcss, barspositioned below the lower portions of said base and engaging saidplates, bolts passing through said base, plates, and bars for holdingthe same in iixed engagement with each other, retaining means formedupon the ends of said plates, securing means carried by said sides, saidsecuring means engaging said retaining means for holding said sides uponsaid base, and means for retaining said sides in vertical planes.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base, sidespositioned upon said base, plates carried upon the lower surlace of saidbase and extending transversely thereacross, bars positioned below thelower portions of said base and engaging said plates, bolts passingthrough said base, plates, bars, for holding the same in fixedengagement with each other, retaining means formed upon the ends of saidplates, securing means carried by said sides and engaging said retainingmeans for holding said sides upon said base, clips iixedly carried uponsaid bars, said clips having vertical lips, braces fixedly secured uponthe outer portions of said sides and extending outwaidly toward theirlower portions and terminating in horizontally extending feet, said feetbeing adapted to rest upon said clips so as to abut against said lipswhen said side members are positioned upon said base, whereby when saidsides are carried upon said base, said sides will be positively retainedin vertical positions.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature.

WILLIAM H. BRYANT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingvthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

